Adopters’ Charter

• The Government has published today an Adopters’ Charter which sets out what prospective adopters can expect from adoption agencies.

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption/a00199762/government-launches-the-adopters-charter

• Tim Loughton wants more people from all walks of life to come forward to adopt, and for them to be welcomed with open arms and to receive all the help and support they need from the initial point of contact right through the adoption process and, very importantly, as and when needed throughout the adoption journey itself.  He wants adopters to feel valued and respected for the chance they provide to transform a child’s life.
• Too often we fail to recognise that adoption is built on the life-long commitment and determination of adoptive parents.  The Charter is an important step towards doing just that.

Performance tables

• The Government has also today published tables that increase transparency around local authority performance for children in care and adoption.   The Government wants these tables to act as a challenge to local authorities to do better for the children in their care.

Recruitment campaign

• In addition, the Government is backing a recruitment campaign led by the British Association of Adoption and Fostering and the Fostering Network.  The ‘Give a Child a Home’ campaign, in conjunction with National Adoption Week, aims to encourage more people to come forward to foster and adopt, particularly those children in sibling groups, older children and black children.
• The ‘Give a Child a Home’ campaign website (www.giveachildahome.co.uk) provides lots of information about adoption and fostering, how they can make a huge difference to people’s lives, and advice on how to take the first step.

We are getting up to speed with social networking in a bid to boost enquiries from would-be adopters.

 After the revamp of our website, we have now created a Facebook page and launched a Twitter account.

 Our Chief Executive, Norman Goodwin said: “Although our new website offers plenty of information for prospective adopters, people who have adopted and those who want to learn a little bit more about what we do, we recognise that social media is fast becoming one of the main mechanisms that people use to communicate so we want to tap into this growing market.

 “We can use Facebook and Twitter to connect with people – they can contact us easily and we can keep them up to date with all the latest adoption news.”

 The agency is alsohoping to use social media to reconnect with some of the 3,500 adoptees it has placed with families over the last 60 years.

 Norman added: “Our various social media facilities and website will improve our ability to make contact with our adoptees and their experiences and input to our service could benefit the next generation.”

Adoption Matters Northwest, which has offices in Chester, Blackburn and Hale (Manchester), is one of only 30 specialist adoption agencies in the UK and has one of the lowest adoption breakdown rates in the country.

 Search for ‘Adoption Matters Northwest’ on Facebook and ‘adopt_mattersnw’ on Twitter.

With much to celebrate over the last three years, Adoption Matters Northwest has published a collection of articles and updates in our latest achievement report. From the Chief Executive celebrating 25 years at the agency, to our most recently retained status of ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted, following our inspection.

We are very proud of the work we do and of our achievements despite many changes in the adoption field and a difficult financial climate. Yet as an organisation we maintain success with the commitment of our adoptive families and the professionalism and loyalty of our staff.

Though we anticipate many more changes ahead, we are always grateful to those who support us and help us continue our operations despite the challenges. We hope people will continue to support our work and hope the achievement report inspires people to do so.

Adoption Matters Northwest Achievement Report

On the 15^th May 2011 Mike Delap will be taking part in the Great Manchester Run for Adoption Matters Northwest. The Bupa Great Manchester run is a 10km running event in central Manchester starting on Portland Street and finishing on Deansgate.

Mike, pictured with his mum, has chosen to raised vital funds for the adoption agency as it is a cause close to his heart, as he explains;

“The reason for me choosing Adoption Matters Northwest  is that I was adopted as a child and I am incredibly proud of that. I was adopted 26 years ago to a fantastic family and I am very lucky to have two great parents, two brothers and a sister who have made me one of their own. Adoption Matters Northwest are the organisation that helped me find the great life and upbringing that I have enjoyed and I am doing this to give just a little back”

Born in Wythenshawe back in 1984 and adopted at a young age, Mike settled with his new family in a village near Stockport, Manchester. Mike spent his childhood life there at school and college before flying the nest and moving to Sheffield to study at University. Still now living in Sheffield, Mike is happy and settled with his partner of 8 years and is delighted to be getting married in September of this year.

Mike who confesses to having a very unhealthy obsession with Blackburn Rovers, hence his blogging name; Wild Blackburn Rover, continues to say, “I like to think I am living proof that the services that organisations like Adoption Matters Northwest provide, actually do work! Please support me as I give just a little something back”.

We would also like to make a plea for you to support Mike through sponsorship donations. You can do so by clicking on the Just Giving link

http://www.justgiving.com/Michael-Delap

With over 38,000 participants this year’s run should be a great event to watch with family and friends, especially to cheer on Mike and boost his progress.  There are plenty of good vantage points along the course like Cheapstow Street, Great Bridgewater Street,  the halfway point near the Imperial War Museum or Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground. Alternatively why not watch the event unfold from one of three big screens at the forecourt at Manchester Central, Charity Village or Spinningfields (live from 9:00am on the race day).